Pinterest is bolstering its Asia-Pacific (APAC) enterprise sales team with the appointment of Damian Kim as vice president, APAC enterprise sales. The move signals Pinterest’s continued investment in the region and its ambition to deepen partnerships with advertisers and commerce leaders, according to a company statement released today, .
Kim, who will begin his role at the end of February, joins Pinterest from Meta, where he most recently served as managing director, head of product – APAC. He will report to Cecile van Steenberge, Pinterest’s vice president of international enterprise sales. His appointment underscores Pinterest’s strategic focus on APAC, a region now home to over 80% of its user base outside of North America.
The APAC region is becoming increasingly important for Pinterest’s growth trajectory. The company reported 16% growth in monthly active users and a substantial 66% revenue increase in its “rest of world” segment, highlighting the potential of markets beyond North America. Pinterest’s visual discovery and shopping features are particularly well-suited to consumer behavior in APAC, where users actively plan, explore, and make purchasing decisions.
Van Steenberge emphasized the importance of the region, stating, “APAC is a critical region for Pinterest’s continued international growth, with diverse user communities and a sophisticated advertiser ecosystem.” She further noted the alignment between Pinterest’s strengths and how consumers in APAC approach shopping and discovery.
Kim’s experience at Meta provides a strong foundation for his new role. During his tenure there, he focused on developing products specifically tailored to the diverse markets within APAC. He also held senior leadership positions in Singapore and Southeast Asia, and previously led the Surface business and OEM partnerships for Microsoft in the Asia Pacific region. This background demonstrates a proven ability to navigate the complexities of the APAC market and build successful product strategies.
Pinterest’s expansion in APAC will focus on strengthening relationships with existing strategic advertisers, including prominent brands like Kao and Panasonic in Japan, and Kia and Flight Centre in Australia. The company also aims to unlock new opportunities for businesses across the region, helping them connect with consumers earlier in their purchasing journey. This suggests a move towards more full-funnel marketing solutions on the platform.
Kim’s expertise extends beyond product development to encompass team leadership and partnership building. He has a track record of introducing new business initiatives, developing go-to-market strategies, and driving scaled growth. He was also an executive sponsor for Pride@APAC at Meta, demonstrating a commitment to inclusion and allyship.
“APAC is one of the most exciting and diverse regions in the world—where culture, creativity, and commerce move incredibly fast,” Kim said. “I’m thrilled to join Pinterest at a pivotal moment in its international growth journey. Pinterest is building a uniquely positive platform that brings inspiration and action together, and I’m excited to work with teams across APAC to leverage Pinterest to deliver advertising strategies.”
The appointment of Kim comes as Pinterest continues to position itself as a key player in the evolving digital advertising landscape. The company is increasingly focused on providing a comprehensive solution for brands, supporting every stage of the customer journey, from initial inspiration to final purchase. This is evidenced by partnerships with brands like Nestlé, Ruggable, and JPMorgan Chase, who are leveraging Pinterest to build smarter campaigns and maximize marketing performance.
Pinterest’s focus on visual discovery and shopping aligns with the preferences of APAC consumers, making the region a crucial component of the company’s international expansion plans. Kim’s leadership will be instrumental in capitalizing on these opportunities and driving continued growth in the years to come.
